Stockton Brook to Etruria

It’s getting to that time of year when we recognise a higher proportion of boats that are on the move. Today out of the five boats we came across we knew two from last year, NB Skye who went up onto the Macc and NB Old Tom North who we shared some of the Leicester section with. We smiled to the chaps at the helm and said hello, but without the yellow of Lillian we get a smile but no recognition back. Advantage is that if we miffed anyone off whilst on Lillian they won’t know it’s us.

With the clocks having changed we managed an earlier start than normal. We passed NB Maple Knot just after pushing off, they had picked up someone’s keys at the electric lift bridge that were left in the control panel, they may have belonged to the chap on NB Skye as he’d passed us an hour earlier. Plenty of walkers with their dogs out for a Sunday morning stroll in the chilly sunshine. At the two lift bridges I only managed to hold up 1 golden retriever and his owner, who patiently waited whilst my finger pressed the close button and helped emit the high Ayckbourn squeak.

Once the sun came out it was really quite warm and after working us through Engine Lock I decided to loose a layer. This time I decided to stay on board and not walk my way back into Hanley.

As we got close to Bridge 11, NB Bramber pulled out from the towpath a short distance in front of us. Mrs Bramber walked ahead to operate the lift bridge. Once through we overtook them as the bridge closed. This meant we were ahead for the locks. Just over two weeks ago when we left Etruria we followed NB Bramber up the staircase locks , today we were to go down them in reverse order. As we hadn’t stopped Mick gingerly walked down the gunnel as we cruised along to remove the top of the chimney before Bridge 9, just in case we sat too high in the water now having used most of our coal. Still several inches to spare.

As I walked up to the staircase I could see a lady with a windlass in hand doing things, so I signalled to Mick to pull in. The lady apologised thinking that she’d stolen the lock from us, just because the top chamber was full. Certainly not the case, her boat was already in the bottom chamber before we got there. At a staircase of two you need to have the top chamber full of water and the bottom empty no matter which way you are going through it, so she must have had to empty or fill one of the chambers before they started.

I helped them up and once their boat was in the top chamber with the gates closed behind them Mick lifted a paddle to set the lower chamber for us. By now NB Bramber had also arrived, so he helped us down into the bottom chamber making sure the gates were closed behind us and then filled the top chamber back up for them.

The only boats on the moorings at Etruria were two that had been up at Leek and Cheddleton with us, so we tucked in in front of them.

In the afternoon Tilly had another good explore around the museums (without us!). She didn’t seem too enamoured with the new display that has been put up in the last two weeks. Presumably it is something to do with steam power, but as yet there isn’t a descriptive panel to tell you anything about it.

I climbed my way back up into Hanley to buy a new set of interchangeable needles for my latest project and also popped into Wilko for a cheap mat that I could cut to size to sit underneath the Brompton bike in the bike slot, I’d grown tired of looking at the ratty newspaper it was sat on.

A big roast dinner with that humongous chicken tonight. I think we’ll be eating it for the next week!

4 locks, 6.09 miles, 3 lift bridges, 3 held up, plus 1man and his dog, 5 familiar boats in all, 2 unfamiliar, 5.5mm needles, 75p mat, 14” of cord knitted, 1st Blue Planet 2, 2.2kg chicken, 2 full boaters.

Endon to Stockton Brook Lock 5

The next batch of bags and hats was ready to be sent off this morning, so once they were all labelled and parcelled up I walked the three quarters of a mile to Stockton Brook Post Office.

At Endon Basin the reason for the number of moored boats yesterday became apparent. They were all waiting to be lifted out. A team of chaps in high vis were busy craning boats into the water that had recently been blacked and then filling the spaces with the next batch. I did wonder about asking if Oleanna could be lifted so that we could look at the bowthruster, but I suspect we’d have been far too heavy for the crane as all the boats seemed to be quite short.

At the Post Office I handed over one parcel and received another that was waiting for me. Turquoise and buff wool for a Sontag shawl. When I got back to Oleanna pleased with my trip Mick reminded me that I was also meant to buy our Saturday Newspaper. Fail! I’d totally forgotten, didn’t even notice any newspapers in the Post Office.  So Mick walked to the Co-op which had the right paper, but no colour supplement. So he went to the Post Office where he found a paper with all the extras. Maybe I’ll be relieved of paper duties next week.

Two boats passed shortly before we pulled out, so we took our time before we pushed off as there would only be a queue at the locks.

NB Bounty was just entering the top lock as we arrived. The lady explained that they’d been at the services with the boat ahead and he’d asked if he could pull out first as he was wanting to reach Great Haywood today. Blimey, that’s 18 miles and 18 locks for a single hander! We were all in the opinion that he’d not make it (16.5 hours according to canalplan) especially as he must have left the services at around 1pm. As he was in a rush he had left the bottom gates open and the paddles up, so NB Bounty would have to close everything. He apparently apologised a couple of locks down, but they said that he should carry on, maybe to get a bit more space between them. I had joked that they must be heading northwards to Red Bull, so as to loose the single hander. But I can’t have been heard correctly, they thought we were hoping to get to Red Bull today. Mr NB Bounty must have thought he was surrounded by speeding boaters each with an unrealistic aim for the day, Harecastle Tunnel would be long closed for the day by the time we got there!

I corrected our destination for him, just below the bottom lock, only another 100 meters. We have an empty gas bottle so would like to stop at the Calor Gas place in Etruria and they won’t be open until Monday, so no rush for us. Red Bull by the end of Monday.

Once moored up, Tilly let out to explore the area we settled down for the evening in front of the stove. I worked up a tension square, which turned into two as I needed bigger needles. Sadly I don’t have the right size of circular needles so will be climbing the hill into Hanley again before we go through the tunnel. I really hope Abakhan stocks the size I need.

5 locks, 1.32 miles, 2 parcels, 800gms wool, 2 hanks now balls, 1 impossible mission, 1 way traffic, 1 very windy night, 1 failed paper girl, 1 successful paper boy, 5mm too small, 5.5mm better.

Park Lane Services to Endon

The sun was wide awake when we got up and burnt it’s way through a haze around the canal in no time. The day warmed up so much that it felt like spring.

When the boat behind moved off Mick pulled Oleanna back. Moving the outside whilst I was in it! TWICE!! Now next to the water point we popped the washing machine on and then everything went out on the whirligig to almost dry before we wanted to move off.

With spring in the air I decided that it was time for a bit of a major clean. The galley had a thorough scrubbing down. The fridge even had tape removed from the shelves that must have been there when it was transported to Finesse, I’d not noticed it before. The wine cellar got a good clean too and was reorganised ready for our delivery this afternoon.

I was out for most of the day. There was certainly plenty to explore, but I made sure I came back to tell everyone about the really boggy bit I’d found.

For the first time our Sainsburys delivery was late, by almost 20 minutes. Mick had been out watching for him on the nearby bridge over the railway which gave a great view of the main road. The driver called to say he’d be late, which was at least something. I just felt a little bit rushed to get everything on board. No substitutes, but a few items with short BB dates and a chicken that was much bigger than I’d ordered. On the upside they did have the nice gingery tofu that we like, which is hard to find.

Conscious that we’d now used up our 24 hours we wanted to move on a short distance, which would also get us closer to Stockton Brook Post Office to pick up a parcel tomorrow morning. So we pushed off and cruised around a couple of bends to near Endon Basin. We were surprised at the number of boats moored along this stretch, but there was space for us at the end. Shortly afterwards Alex came past waving from the stern of Tench, wonder if we’ll catch her up in the next couple of days?

0 locks, 0.76 miles, 60 ft reverse, 1 load washing, 1 clean fridge, 2 buffers, 6 pieces of tape, 1 clean cooker, 1 new bucket, 1 full water tank, 2 showers, 20 minutes late! 2.2kg chicken anyone fancy Sunday tea? 7 hours! 2 outsides, 1 leg that’s fine really it’s fine, 2 gloves finished, 1 wine cellar full to the brim.

Basford Bridge to Park Lane Services

Whilst having breakfast this morning a CRT boat came passed pushing a skip boat, the troupes are starting to mobilise for the winter stoppages. The visitor mooring we were on  is opposite a permanent mooring so the gap in between is quite narrow, just ahead is a submerged obstacle, so any boat passing should be going slowly. As the boat reached about a third of the way down Oleanna there was a bump, followed by another. Mick, now leaning out of the hatch was thanking the chap on the tug boat! It took a little while for the chap to hear Mick as his boat was busy scrapping it’s way along the side of Oleanna! At first he didn’t acknowledge what was happening, then he said ‘There’s nothing I could do!’. Well actually there was, he could at least have said sorry! But he obviously wasn’t to blame for not taking enough care whilst passing moored boats. Hopefully it will only be a mark on the gunnel which will get tidied up if the weather allows before winter.

Over at the station an engine was in steam, shunting coaches around up and down the line as we pulled away to head back to the summit pound.

Up the two Cheddleton Locks we passed the CRT boat and Tench still moored where we’d left her a few days ago. The sun was trying to come out, but the grey clouds were winning which gave the air a cold bitter tinge. At the Hollybush the 24hour moorings were still occupied by two boats we’d seen a week ago. Maybe CRT have started the 2 weeks on visitor moorings for winter early this year. We wondered what the pub thought, we might have stopped for at least a drink if we could have moored there, but carried on instead, how many other boats have done the same?

Under the aqueduct with my camera poised in hand just in case the Kingfishers were about, but sadly no. Adam from NB Briar Rose has recently mentioned in his blog about why there are so many Kingfishers around this autumn, a result of mild winters the last few years. We’ve certainly seen more than before and what a treat to the eye they have been.

At Hazelhurst Locks we were soon being followed by the CRT boat. By now the sun was just coming out and drying off the dew in the fields around us. Now with views opening up I got that Bonfire Night feeling, hoping that the stove would be lit this evening to sit next to all rosy cheeked. It’s not that cold yet, but it feels like it should be. Another boat was coming down the locks so we passed between the top two.

Arriving at Park Lane services another boat was already in pole position for the water point. Not in dire need of water we pulled up in front of him, let the cat out and checked that a Sainsburys delivery would be okay here. 25% off again!

5 locks, 3.75 miles, 1 under, 1 straight, 1 long scrape, 0 manners, 24 hrs? 1 last wave to the trains, 1 last wave to Tench, 0 blue flashes, 3 vans, 5 hours! 0 Margees afloat anymore, £79,750 for NB Large Marge, 0 tasty waves to Jaffa.

Consall Forge to Basford Bridge

The cockerel at the pub decided that dawn was at 7.30am, however no matter how he persisted Mick didn’t notice!

We planned to be on the first train of the day through Consall Station, but this wasn’t until 11.28 so we had plenty of time to get ready. No catching up with news on facebook, tv, radio, or phones, we were totally cut off from the outside world. Rather nice. As we leisurely ate our breakfast a steam engine came past twice on it’s own, presumably checking out the line, clearing it of leaves before the Halloween Family Fun Day started.

Being in the middle of the line we didn’t expect there to be many passengers waiting and we were right. Two photographers and one other passenger. We’d not been able to buy our ticket in advance on line (at a discount price) so Mick chatted away to the chap in the ticket office thorough the little glass window. He was a bit surprised that Mick wasn’t 60 so therefore had to pay full price, today the tickets were half the price of those at the weekend, so we didn’t mind. The sun was out and we waited along with the photographers out on the platform. An old refreshments trolley stood with it’s tea urn at the ready to provide the waiting paparazzi with a coffee each, this was also manned by the ticket office chap, he was also station guard, in fact he was the only member of staff at the station.

As we stood waiting a narrowboat came along under the other platform trying to find a space wide enough to moor in. Shame we weren’t on that platform to be able to look down to them. A phone rang in the ticket office and then we got personal platform announcements. Mr Consall Station walked up to the photographers who were already set up waiting for the engine to reverse into the station, then he came to chat to us. The first train of the day was going to be late. This was due to there being too many passengers, the train was already full at Cheddleton and plenty more were waiting at Froghall, so an extra two carriages were being added to the train! In the 21st Century we’d all just be expected to squeeze on and stand, but out here where time stands still you can wait until they provided us all with a seat.

Eventually a bell rang out on the platforms, this meant that the train was on it’s way, four minutes away. As it pulled up to a halt a guard leant out of the window and suggested we get on at his end and walk up a couple of carriages for seats, the train was too long now for the platforms. Carriages were full of families out for the day. Mick and I soon were in a quiet coach at the end away from all the sweats and excitement, not saying that we weren’t as excited as the kids, we just weren’t being as noisy about it. At Froghall the platform was full and the train filled up. We felt rather under dressed as there were Ghost Busters, Witches, Superman, we really should have made the effort.

Here there was a long wait, the engine had to uncouple, reverse up the line and return on the other, fill with water and then head down the line to then reverse recouple onto the now front end of the train. This all took quite some time. Balloon sculptors were on the train, a pirate sword and a teddy bear were made for the kids across the way, the chap not even looking at what he was doing. The carriage soon filled with dinosaurs, flowers and other creations, but he didn’t make any for us!

Passing through the old wire works we could see more missile shaped objects just lying round, according to a comment on the blog these are more likely to be under wing drop fuel tanks. Thank goodness the MOD don’t just leave bombs lying around.

We’d moved to the left side of the train giving us a better view across the valley as we made our way back towards Consall and then onto Cheddleton. The canal for a stretch would be right alongside, then high up, then below. At Cheddleton there were announcements, but it was all a bit noisy to hear what was being said. In the end we found out that another carriage was being added as demand was unprecedented. Last year they had run two Halloween Specials and the uptake was so low they lost money on them, this year it had gone the other way. The time table was now out of the window, nobody seemed bothered by this as the Ghost buster pirate sworded lad fought off Superman and his gang witches armed with laser firing flowers and teddies.

Once on the move again we crossed the level crossing and entered Cheddleton Tunnel before pulling up. Here the engine had to uncouple and rejoin the train behind us. Then we were back into the tunnel, this time without the cabin lights on! Scary!! Back up the line to Consall where we walked back along the train to alight, no being rushed to do so. In fact they stopped the train so more people could get off! We thanked Mr Consall Station and walked out back into the quiet of the trees. A great few hours on the train.

There was time to have lunch before the engine came back, I was stood waiting to take another photo, this time with Oleanna in the foreground. With this done we headed back up stream to find a mooring for the night where Tilly could go out.

Up off the river and through the next lock we decided to moor opposite the station, just as the final train of the day came in. No more trains until the Santa specials in December. The engine shunted carriages around for a while as I had a walk up and down the towpath with Tilly, eventually leaving her to play with the rather rowdy pheasants.

2 locks, 2.19 miles, 30 minute delay, 3 extra carriages, 1 tunnel twice, 0 balloons if over 11! 1 man in charge, 1 full noisy train, 2 people watching the scenery, 150 minutes of train riding, 90 minutes by boat.

Froghall to Consall Forge

Overnight rain had been forecast, but not much actually fell, which meant that the river had remained at a steady level, so we weren’t going to be stuck. As we’d managed to come this far we did have to have a look round.

First port of call was Kingsley and Froghall Station, the furthest south you can go on the Churnet Valley Railway. Masses of communication wires hung above a platform. Mick said that originally the wires would have been bare with no insulation, but that is no longer allowed. To the rear of the station stood two GPO temporary emergency exchanges which the railway must use for it’s communication system. Along side them stood a K6 phone box, painted in a slightly garish red.

Today there was a private charter train running, we’d been able to hear it from Oleanna, but it didn’t come into the station whilst we were there. Tomorrow is the last day of planned trains on the line before the Christmas Santa trains in December. We might just treat ourselves with a return as we received our first full months rent from the house in over six months yesterday! After a good look round we then walked back towards the canal.

Below where we’d moored yesterday used to be a wire works, much of the buildings have long been demolished, but the sight has recently been taken over by the MOD. New looking crinkly sheds have gone up to store surplus military stuff. One of the doors was open and we could see racks of things filling the warehouse. But on the floor was the pointed cone of a missile! Was this armed? Or just an empty case? We didn’t hang around, a quick photo and we were off.

We walked round the tunnel to Froghall Basin. The top of the Uttoxeter branch heads down through a lock to a small basin where the branch now stops. This was restored in 2005 creating several 7 day moorings for low boats. Last time we were here there were a couple of boats moored up, but today the basin was empty.

This is the end of the canal where limestone and quick lime were loaded onto boats. Large Victorian lime kilns still stand where limestone was baked to create quick lime. It has a similar feeling to Bugsworth Basin, all the noise from industry long gone still faintly echoing around the high valley sides, now drowned out by bird song. Most people today were here to sample the fruit scones at Hetty’s Cafe, what seemed like a popular place for lunch.

There had been no moving boats this morning and we hoped that the space opposite the Black Lion would still be free when we got back to Consall Forge. We retraced our route back along the narrows with the odd glimpse of autumnal sunshine peeking through the clouds. Two women asked the way to the pub, they had been up in the woods and turned the wrong way when they got back to the canal!

At Flint Mill Lock we came across the first boat of the day, a hire boat. They had timed their arrival very well with our exit. We were now back onto the river. At this end there seems to be no warning if the river is high, no red and green board visible. Maybe the first you would know of it would be fighting your way up stream to the low bridge. Luckily today we knew we had another inch from yesterday, but lining the boat up to go through takes a bit of doing. Once through we quickly nabbed the mooring before anyone else came by. That was us settled for the rest of the day. Shortly afterwards a Stone Hire boat came past, the chap at the helm giving a full running commentary on the narrow bridge. They were too long to join us on the remainder of the mooring so carried on down the cut.

We’d promised ourselves a meal at the Black Lion, so not to be disappointed this evening we walked over to book a table. Phones, internet and TV don’t work here. This was a shame as somehow an afternoon half managed to make it’s way into our hands. So we watch the world go by sat on a bench outside. The Stone hire boat came back and took forever to line itself up with the bridge, a good 20 minutes! Then the private charter train came past too! I managed to get a photo with both the engine and Oleanna, but I’m hoping for a better one tomorrow.

The hire boat had pulled in at the water point to fill up, they then moved backwards to free the tap up. Spikes were being hammered in and a loud conversation was going on. ‘Are you at 90 degrees?’ ‘Yes, are you?’ They were fastidiously tying up with their ropes at 90 degrees, we didn’t have the heart to tell them that this wasn’t such a good idea. Much better to tie up with your lines either as innies or outies, this means that your boat is less likely to move around when someone passes. Doing a combination of both innies and outies gives you spring lines which hold you tighter. But 90 degrees  means there is a  whole 45 degrees you can go both forwards and backwards bumping the side as you go. As little traffic was likely we left them to it.

This evening we headed to our reserved table in the pub, joining the crews from the hire boats. Ribeye Steaks were on the specials board which turned out to be very nice indeed, cooked just to our liking. The chips were the best we’ve had in an age. Even though our plates had been straining we both decided to have a pudding. This was a mistake, not that it wasn’t nice, but the portions of treacle sponge were vast. I had to give up two thirds through as my sides were beginning to strain and I was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to breath soon! A very good meal and good beer too, very glad we managed to have a meal here.

1 lock, 2 miles about (no internet to check), 1 station, 2 cabinets, 36 wires, 1 private train, 1 passenger, 2 hire boats, 48 hour mooring ours, 2 many risks and routes for Tilly, 2 spoil sports! 3 halves, 3 pints, 2 steaks, 2 much pudding, 90 degrees, 1 wifi code for the pub, 1 cockerel, 0 map today, 0 internet.

Cheddelton to Froghall Winding Hole

Tilly had a much better night and so did we. Thank you for your concern Joa. She must have been feeling a lot better by morning as we had to put up with a LOT of ‘Open Sesame’ shouts at the back doors. Well I hadn’t finished off that tasty morsel outside and that human food just wasn’t up to scratch with pink food! We gave her a few biscuits at a time through the day which all went, the real chicken now being left. Fortunately all stayed down, so she is on the mend. Never had a cat be quite so sick before.

With the river levels dropping back into the normal range we decided to head to the end of the Caldon. Chances are that it might rise again so Mick headed up to the One Stop shop to see if they had any fresh veg on their depleted shelves. He timed his visit well with a delivery, but had to persuade the shop assistant into letting him buy the one cabbage that hadn’t been counted yet! So if we now get stuck at the far end we’ll be hunting for interesting things to make with cabbage.

The two boats Alex had been travelling with winded and headed back up the canal, but as we left there was no sign of her, Tench locked up. Sure our paths will cross again soon.

As we reached the top of the Cheddleton Locks it started to rain, but thankfully it soon dried up. We could hear the whistles of engines again, but as far as we could tell there were no planned excursions on the tracks today. Maybe someone had hired a train privately as there was quite a bit of steam coming from an engine as we passed the station.

Shortly after Woods Lock we came across an unmoored boat. On Friday when we’d passed it’s bow line was in the water, stern on the rear counter and it was clinging on by it’s centre line, swaying outwards with the movement of passing boats. It waited for us to pass before it drifted out into the channel, today we had to do something about it, if we could. I held onto Oleanna as Mick went with the boat hook to pull it back in. On the end of it’s centre line was a spike with a ring (these rings are purely so that you don’t loose your spike if it’s pulled out by passing boats). This was handy as we didn’t want to be donating one of ours. Once Mick had pulled it back to the towpath he then tried to push the spike into the ground. This normally would necessitate hitting it with a mallet, but the earth being so soft it pushed in just like a hot knife through butter. With no spike on the bow line and nowhere near with firm ground this was all we could do. Suspect it won’t stay moored for long!

At Oak Meadow Ford Lock I walked up to check the level. It was in the green! Only by a couple of inches, but it still meant we could go. I set the lock and down Oleanna went onto the River Churnet winding it’s way through trees, then more trees, then even more. The railway line comes close at times but no trains came past. As we approached Consall Forge we pulled up and filled the water tank. The pressure here was phenomenal and we were ready to go in next to no time.

The pull towards the weir wasn’t that great today which is just as well as you have to turn just in front of it to get onto the cut.

Here, empty, was the mooring that we’d been hoping for at the weekend. Opposite the Black Lion pub with the railway running in between, what a place it would have been to train watch.

Just as we were about to sit down for some lunch a train whistle could be heard. We got that ‘needed’ train. Backing up the line with several coaches, whistling to clear the foot crossing. This just confirmed that this would have been a great mooring. It’s return journey coincided with us finishing our lunch, so we walked up to the pub crossing, the engine was now in front of the carriages. I’d really have liked to have been able to get a photo with both Oleanna and the engine in shot (my next virtual postcard to Finesse), but that would have meant being on the other side of the tracks, I was too late for this.

Mick quickly realised that it would be a good thing to remove the top of our chimney before we carried on. The first bridge today, I suspect, was lower than Bridge 9 had been (due to the river being a bit high). We managed to get under with no bumping it, if the water was any higher then it could have caused us a problem.

The cut takes you along side the station at Consall, where the platform is canter levered out over the top of your boat.

At Flint Mill Lock we caught up with a boat. As Mick brought Oleanna out of the lock we made note of whether she’d fit through Froghall tunnel. This tunnel is very low and very few modern boats are low enough. I’ve heard somewhere that it’s something to do with old boats cabin sides being made with imperial sized cabin tops and modern ones metric and those few centimetres makes all the difference. We knew we’d not be able to go through, but if we removed the horns, cratch board and chimney, back to just a bare Oleanna she would fit! Mick however would be bent double.

The next section is very narrow, tree lined and if the sun had been out stunning. We were glad that the boat ahead was aware that we were following. They had got to the end, winded and had just started to return when we met them. Luckily there was space for one of us to wait. We winded and moored up. After all the pretty trees and valley here is quite a let down. But after the tunnel, not far around the next bend the scenery gets better again, we’ll walk that way tomorrow.

CHASC met and it was decided that Tilly should remain indoors whilst we’re here. We’d not be able to reach her should she get into trouble on the other side of the high fence and she is still recovering, so better safe than sorry.

5 locks, 5.35 miles, 1 cabbage to be counted, 1 green board, 1 rightish onto the river, 1 left in front of the weir, 1 needed train fulfilled, 1 full water tank, 1 wind, 1 not so pretty mooring, 1 improving cat, 68950343452729 trees, 0 climbed!!!! 2 boaters in need of a cat silencer and a new set of curtains!

Cheddleton

WARNING This post contains Train Porn.

Only suitable for those over 50 who possess an anorak.

Our second mate started to not feel too good last night. The cabin floor, currently desperate for a wash, got spot cleaned whilst we tried to watch an episode of Grand Designs. She did her best to join up the clean spots over night, which meant we didn’t get the best nights sleep. Food and water were taken away with the hope that this would improve things for her. By morning she was a little bit more perky, but quite happy to sleep in front of the stove.

We passed away much of the morning with a cooked breakfast (Morrisons Turkey with caramelised onion sausages can be recommended). Once we felt that the cabin floor was safe we left Tilly to have a  couple of peaceful hours sleep on her own whilst we walked down the canal to look at TRAINS!

Cheddleton Station was buzzing. People on each platform awaiting the next train to arrive. Waiting to hop on board, take photos (some serious lenses out there), just enjoy the sights and smells. For £25 each you could have a day rover, hopping on and off at the stations and changing trains. It would have been nice to do the journey, but we could think of better ways to spend £50. Instead we had a good look around the station, platforms, engine shed and sidings.

One train came from the north necessitating the level crossing to be closed. A bell rang in the Crossing Keepers hut, the Keeper would then close the four metal gates closing the road, he’d then pick up a dirty yellow flag which as the train came into view he held above his head (presumably meaning that the crossing was in their favour) the train then tooted in response and came in to stop at the platform. Here the Engine was uncoupled, shunted backwards onto a siding and then replaced with ‘Sophie’ a Class 33 diesel that pulled the carriages southwards to Consall Forge and Froghall.

A book stall was on one platform, strangely enough only selling train books! On the station side there was a waiting room filled with people trying to keep warm out of the chilly breeze, sadly no roaring fire in the grate, just a small electric heater on the wall. More books in the ticket office which seemed to be manned by a duck! A small wooden shed housed the obligatory tea rooms which was packed.

Past the platforms was the engine shed, which had had a spring clean for the weekend. Another diesel stood inside painted a multitude of colours, obviously the next major restoration project. Large machines stood at one side with giant spanners and drill bits on show. You could feel the ingrained grease, swarf and dirt without touching anything. Model railway engines and rolling stock were on sale just across the way from a mountain of Train Porn.

Out the back were more engines waiting their turn for some serious TLC. Springs, couplings and general stuff lay around. Here one engine was waiting to join with a tank engine to ‘double head’ the next train south.

Churnet Valley Railway are currently trying to raise £50,000 in six months to be able to buy Cheddleton Station and platform from the Council. You can fill out forms, write cheques to donate to the fund. But we feel that they missed a trick this weekend. We wanted to go and have a look, but had no intention of buying a ticket for the train journeys. Instead we’d have very happily bought a platform ticket for say £1 which would have got us up close and given us access to the engine shed and all that we got to see for free. I’m sure that over the three days they had over a thousand people just turn up to watch the trains at the stations.

Back at Oleanna Tilly had been resting, but still wasn’t quite right. Despite her instruction manual having said ‘Never, ever, ever, ever feed your cat human food’ medical websites differed. She’d gone nearly 24hrs without anything and was a bit perkier. So I fished  out some chicken pieces from the stock I’d made yesterday and cooked a bit of white rice. Once cool I gave her a teaspoon of it. All the chicken went along with a bit of the rice. We then waited to see what happened. It seemed to be staying down so a little bit more was added to her bowl in the evening, unfortunately we got to see this again just after we’d gone to bed!

We’ll see how she is in the morning and whether professional advice will be needed.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 poorly cat, 43% of  floor now spotless, 2 hours of peace and quiet, 2 steam engines, 1 diesel, 2 double heading, 1 Morrisons driver, 1 pair safety goggles, 2 many anoraks, 56cm long lenses, 1 mountain of porn, 2 windy to move boats, 1 hat completed, 0.5 scarf crocheted, 10 grams rice, 1st taste of chicken, real chicken! 1 still not right Tilly.

Cheddleton Flint Mill

With rain and wind we weren’t planning on taking the boat anywhere today. Instead Mick climbed aboard the No16 bus which took him back to Hanley to see if a water pump had been delivered, whilst I climbed the hill leading up into the village. For once I was to be the paper girl, Mick normally beats me to the job, well that’s my excuse anyway!

There are a few shops in Cheddleton, the village lying much further up the hill than I’d expected it to be, but it was good exercise. Bargain Booze only had the local paper so I carried on further to the One Stop shop which had a full selection. I’d also been hoping to find a Post Office which yesterday I’d found on Google maps, but today when checking for it’s location it now said that it was Permanently Closed. That was quick! So I won’t be getting my next order of wool delivered here.

Signs enticing you up a side road to Cheddleton Old School Tea Rooms and the Black Lion nearly swayed me but I managed to resist. Next to a hair dressers sat a green MG, having seen better days but in far better nick than the convertible Triumph next to it. The roof was all rotted through and with large rusty patches it just seemed to be managing to hold itself together.

Tilly went out and spent much of the rest of the day wading through the boggy bits down the bank and getting really rather wet. She’d return every now and then to tell us all about it and to insist on receiving a few treats for coming home on her own accord.

Mick returned from Hanley, not requiring any treats!  Originally when  I’d contacted Finesse about the broken pump I’d forgotten to mention that post being sent to a Post Restante address needed to be sent by Royal Mail or Parcel Force otherwise it might be returned by the receiving Post Office. Presumably the Post Office receives no financial incentive in receiving parcels form other delivery firms. I’d remembered this and emailed Chris/Kev as soon as I could, nothing worse than having a parcel returned. The order was already in Midland Chandlers system, so we’d see what happened. Luckily for us the receiving Post Office was run by kind soles. The parcel had caused a bit of a stir when it had arrived addressed to The Post Office. No mention of Mick’s name or Post Restante! With no bar code to scan they had opened up the box and seen on the advice note Mick’s name and the fact that it was a Post Restante delivery. So when Mick arrived asking for his parcel, he was asked what was inside, water pump, here you go. They don’t normally accept such things!

I wonder how many parcels Midland Chandlers sends out to boaters with no fixed home address. Surly they must send things to Post Restante addresses every now and then, you would think they would know about such things. But then again, it’s most probably just in a warehouse that the order gets printed off, picked, packed and the label just stuck on the box and put in the next pile for the courier. Next to no human interaction with what is on the label normally required.

But we had our new pump! The thought of looking at steam engines in the pouring rain didn’t seem all that attractive, so I got on with more bags and Mick got on with replacing the pump.

Once removed from it’s fixings you could see that the main body of the original pump had a large crack in it. We’d only removed the panel covering it once before and that was to see if insulation was needed around the central heating pipes. By the way the bit of foam mat we put between the yellow water tank and the pipes has been doing the trick, we’ve not had any aroma since. Once the new pump was plumbed in we gave it a trial go to check for any leeks. What a difference, it is so quiet compared to the old one which sounded like it was straining, retching it’s guts up as it pumped. Maybe the original pump had something wrong with it before it was installed?

One boat came past having come up the river today, it was now in the green. But as the day progressed so did the force of the wind. We were glad we’d stayed put, hopefully tomorrow we’ll get to see some trains close to.

0 locks, 0 miles, 2 buses, £4 potteries return, 1 Old Git free ticket, 1 paper, 2 pints milk, 1 new quiet pump, 1 smelly old cracked pump, 1 empty wee tank, 6 exploration trips, 18 treats, 1 cat with deja vu, 20 meatballs, 0.5 of a bag, 0.5 of a hat.

Cheddleton Mill to Cheddleton Mill

With Storm Brian on his way we thought it best to fill the water tank today and find a suitable mooring for the next few days. The Caldon Canal only has two water points, one behind at Park Lane, Endon Bank and the other on the River Churnet section at Consall Forge ahead of us.  Looking at Gauge Map for the river levels suggested that we’d had lots of rain yesterday, we kind of knew this already, but the level looked like it was dropping. As we had breakfast two boats came past heading towards the river, they obviously thought it worth a try. A while later a boat came past the other way and chatted to Alex on Tench, he thought that the river would now be in flood. Which way to go?

After a hello chat with Alex, who wasn’t going to bother carrying on to the river as time wouldn’t allow her to get stuck for a couple of days, we decided to go and see for ourselves. Tilly wasn’t impressed as she’d much rather have been out in the rain than us, but we needed water. First we passed the winding hole, the next would be just above the lock down onto the river so we were committed now to at least three locks and a couple of miles.

Gradually the rain eased as we worked our way down. Every now and then we could hear the Toot Toot of a steam engine. Churnet Valley Railway are having a 25th Anniversary Gala weekend with trains running from Cheddleton Station to Froghall so when the station came into view on our port side it was busy up there with engines in full steam. We’d really hoped to have been able to moor near to Consall Forge where the station platforms overhang the canal, but if the levels were suitable we’d be heading straight through to get off the river.

Down the penultimate lock and we could see NB Tilly Mint and friend who’d gone by this morning, they had winded and were moored up. One chap stuck his head out and said that the river had been on red when they got to the lock. We had to carry on anyway to be able to turn, so we’d see what the situation was like when we got there.

I remembered that the board was in an awkward position so walked over the bridge and eventually found it. Sure enough it was in the red, but we were certain that the green started only an inch further down. If levels were dropping then it might be in the green  after we had lunch. So tied up on the lock landing we waited for an hour. Sadly the level hadn’t dropped, maybe it had even gone up a bit! We couldn’t wait any longer, if we wanted water we needed to retrace our steps and climb another three locks. With the gala on at the railway we wanted to return to Cheddleton too, so we had some shallow miles to cover.

Just as we were winding another boat appeared behind us, windlasses already in hand. If they were sensible they wouldn’t carry on, tight bends on a fast flowing river followed by a weir and a low bridge, not a good idea.

Our journey back to Cheddleton was slow but that gave us more opportunity to watch the trains in steam on the other side of the valley. Back under the aqueduct at Hazelhurst, this time I had my camera already in hand for the two Kingfishers, but of course they were nowhere to be seen! Once up the flight of three locks to the junction we carried straight on towards Park Lane. With enough water in the tank I had a shower as we went along. Of course there isn’t a handy winding hole at the services, you have to carry on another mile to Endon Basin to turn.

Facing the other way we pulled in and filled the tank, time was getting on. Should we carry on or pull up before the locks? With winds forecast for tomorrow afternoon and hopefully a gulper pump to pick up in the morning we really wanted to be back where we’d started the day, buses would be much easier from there. So with not much day light left we pushed off at 6pm with our nav lights on. I browned some chicken, made a sauce and popped it into my cast iron casserole and into the oven where it should be cooked to perfection by the time we got moored up.

We passed one boat as we approached the top of the locks, he’d just come up, but this didn’t mean that they were all full sadly. Each one needed topping up. There was enough light to see what you were doing and I was glad that we knew the locks with their steps under the arc of the lock beams. Mick turned the tunnel light on, my goodness it is bright! It illuminated my way down to the next lock where I wound up paddles as Mick lifted one on the lock above. By the time I turned to walk back the bow of Oleanna had dropped sufficiently into the lock chamber so that I didn’t get blinded.

No space outside The Hollybush for the night, the 24hr moorings here seem to be at least 72hrs! I got the stove going and then sat at the bow, watching as Mick lit up bridge holes a bit more with his torch. Sat at the pointy end I could see bats skimming the surface of the canal, twisting and turning catching insects as they went. One did an arc around our bow and headed back the way it had come. Then a low swoop of an Owl just in front of us. He stopped and watched us go by before hooting for a mate. We don’t often move at night, in fact this might only be the second time we’ve done it, but it was magical.

We pulled up on the first rings at Cheddleton. Sorted ourselves out and the chicken was ready and waiting for us. Not quite back to where we’d started the day, but almost. At least we have a full tank of water to keep us going whilst the weather does what it’s going to, just a long way to get it. It turns out the river was rising again when we were at the lock. Hopefully it’ll go down again for us to get to Froghall after the weekend.

12 locks, 6 down, 6 up, 11.52 miles, 2 end up 90m away, 0 good TV reception, 0 green, 2 much red, 0 kingfishers, 0 time for me! 1 shower on the go, 1 full water tank, 4 joints of chicken ready and waiting, 8th bag completed, 1 Sontag on order.